History was made today as the Detroit Red Wings announced that forward Dylan Larkin has officially succeeded the retired Henrik Zetterberg as the 37th captain in team history.
As he enters his 6th NHL season, Larkin has enjoyed several personal successes on the ice for a team that hasn’t enoyed too many in recent years. But as the team continues to evolve with a certain former captain leading the way as GM, Larkin’s development into the leader of the team continues to be cemented.
Let’s take a look back at some of the top highlights of Larkin’s career – so far.
First NHL Fight
Though he’s not the first player you’d think of to be one to drop the gloves, Larkin took special exception to being high-sticked by Nashville’s Yannick Weber early in the 3rd period of an October 2016 tilt at Joe Louis Arena. Larkin held his own, eventually earning the take down.
First NHL Playoff Goal
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Though the Red Wings would be dispatched in relatively quick fashion by their Atlantic Division nemesis Tampa Bay Lightning, Larkin earned an important milestone in his young career – his first Stanley Cup Playoff goal during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals in 2016.
First Multi-Goal NHL Game
Larkin’s rookie campaign had fans smiling at the thought of the player he was developing into. He showcased his offensive abilities by notching his first career two-goal game by tallying twice against the Florida Panthers in early 2016.
NHL Record for Fastest Skater
Larkin broke a two-decade old record by NHL Hall of Fame forward Mike Gartner by becoming the League’s new fastest skater during the 2016 NHL All-Star Skills Competition. He completed his lap around the Bridgestone Arena ice in 13.172 seconds, breaking Gartner’s record of 13.386 seconds set in 1996. He was also the 1st Red Wings rookie since Steve Yzerman in 1984 to appear in the NHL All-Star Game.
First Career NHL Goal
It was a memorable NHL debut for Larkin, who grew up in Waterford Township cheering for the Red Wings. With his family in the stands at Joe Louis Arena, Larkin roofed a shot past future teammate Jonathan Bernier for his first career goal in his first career NHL regular season game.
